Your unhealthy relationship is a separate issue from future goals as an RE investor - as many have already pointed out.I'm surprised by the number of tired stereotypes referenced about what "all women" or "all men" are like/need/want, but that's an aside. 

These increases in such a short period are unprecedented (and unhealthy).Renters and those who do not hold assets get pummeled. 

Nothing I love more than hearing I got outbid on yet another house by another investor from Shanghai in a highest and best bidding war orchestrated by the realtors, by the way.I don't know the exact extent which deporting illegals would help, but since it's as simple a concept as "enforce our laws" I see it as an easy start to lowering housing prices.And I agree that we ought to restrict certain foreign purchases of real estate as it not only drives up prices, but can also contribute to speculative bubbles which are unhealthy for the economy.The good thing is that these two strategies can both be implemented at the same time. 

For whatever reason there's clearly some unhealthy instability there.

it was like trying to drink a shake that had 2,000 calories in it. 

Example: I want to lose 30 pounds in 90 days...that means I need to lose 1 pound every three days.. to do that I need to work out 45 minutes per day, track my calories daily and consume no more than 2000 calories per day, ever 3 days I should be 1 pound down4.

Not only can society not function without the collective input of labor, but it is unhealthy for the physical and mental well-being of those receiving benefits without contribution.

In a healthy Association, they've taken into account that this will need to be replaced, and have planned for it, essentially charging everyone who has lived there over the last 20 years a nominal amount to be put toward the new roof when it's needed.With an unhealthy Association, they try to keep HOA dues artificially low, and when a repair is needed, they levy a Special Assessment, which puts the financial responsibility on those who live there currently. 

It was very effective when I was trying to count calories.

That is a very unhealthy condition and a few economic ripples combined with some vacancies and urgent repairs can sink that portfolio.In the end it's a balance between growing wide and deep.